It goes without saying that your smile, though composed of some of the strongest structures in the human body, is not beyond harm. In fact, it is constantly on the defensive and fending off various sources of threat, including gum disease and infection, nontraditional oral health concerns, and much more. While you may be familiar with the threat of dental decay, what you might not be aware of is the way it can cause exponential damage when left untreated. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist takes a look at the way tooth decay progresses, as well as what you should know about untreated infections.
Beginning with a Cavity
By now, you likely have had an encounter with a cavity or sensitive area of your smile. As a matter of fact, tooth decay – the reason a cavity develops in the first place – is the most common bacterial oral health concern out there. Not only does it affect millions of people in the United States every single year, but more individuals are unable to seek treatment in a timely manner due to unawareness of the issue at hand.
You see, dental decay is characterized by oral bacteria nestling into hard-to-clean areas of the mouth. Here, they are able to thrive off of the particles from the foods you consume. Certain items, in particular, can actually cause these microorganisms to produce a destructive acid that wears away your protective layer of enamel. This is often the very first stage in cavity formation.
As one of the earliest forms of decay, a cavity is a small hole in the tooth where oral bacteria have eaten away at decay and, subsequently, a portion of your tooth. Keep in mind that your troubles do not end here, however, as the infection will continue to spread.
Damaging Sensitive Nerves
Though a cavity might have been the end of the world as a child, in reality, it is only the tip of the iceberg. Further, the small hole created by the infection can be viewed more so as a tunnel into the innerworkings of your tooth. As you can imagine, this allows the infection to spread into the roots, where your sensitive nerves are housed. Damage to this area can lead to the noticeable experience of discomfort, sensitivity, and pain. For more information about this process, give our team a call today.
Beyond Salvaging
Even when infections target your nerves, this does not represent the end of your issues. Whether you like it or not, decay will continue to wreak havoc on your smile until, finally, every last tooth is compromised beyond saving. Because of this, our team emphasizes the importance of attending routine dental visits and prioritizing your oral health however you can.
Learn More Today
To learn more about the need for consistent protection against decay, contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 and schedule your next appointment with our team today.
